Open test day at Sonoma is a little different than open test day at Buttonwillow. First, it is more expensive. In fact, it is the most expensive of all the tracks near the bay area. And, it requires you to have a full racing license (not a provisional), and not on rookie status. No problem. I had cleared that hurdle already. So, me and my car showed up for open testing. There were only about 5 other cars on the track the entire day, so it was mostly like having the entire track to myself – except for the occasional pass (they passed me – on test day, I passed no one).
During one of my sessions, I turned my best time yet at Sonoma – a 2:03.
After the day was over, and I was back futzing around my car and trailer, Doug Gale, the one who puts on the Trackmasters events, stopped by to chat. After about 45 minutes, he mentioned that the core group gets together on this weekend every year and does Thanksgiving dinner together, and invited me. I didn’t know what to expect, but accepted anyway.
The track sessions the next two days were great. Trackmasters runs a great event, and is very similar to TF, without all the issues of who goes in what group. Of course, when you have a racing license, most people don't question whether you should be in an avanced group.
Trackmasters seemed like kind of a cross between actual racing and just an HPDE4 session. People were very experienced drivers and running hard - and competitively, but there was always an emphasis on safety.
On Saturday night, we all gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone had prepared something, and it was a feast with lots of leftovers. The atmosphere was very familial and I left hoping that I would get invited back next year.
What a way to close out a year of racing.